Mr Key made the announcement following a
meeting with Myanmar’s President Thein Sein in the
country’s capital city Naypyitaw.

“Over the next
five years we will be investing $6 million in building
Myanmar’s dairy farming capabilities through our aid
programme. This will complement the funding we already make
available for scholarships, and the English Language
Training for Officials programme,” says Mr Key.

“New Zealand will also provide a $1 million package of
humanitarian assistance in the Rakhine province, where
inter-ethnic violence has led to large numbers of people
being forced from their homes.’

During the meeting
with President Thein Sein the Mr Key reaffirmed New
Zealand’s support for Myanmar’s reintegration into the
wider international community.

“Myanmar is going
through significant political and economic change to deliver
a better future for its people,” says Mr Key.

“President Thein Sein outlined the major reforms that
have taken place in Myanmar over the past year, and the many
challenges his country still faces. He also briefed me on
actions taken by the Myanmar government to address the
extremely serious situation in the Rakhine province.”

New Zealand is looking to step up its political and
diplomatic engagement with Myanmar by establishing a
diplomatic presence in Myanmar next year. The decision has
also been made to use the name Myanmar, in recognition of
the positive progress made to date in the reform
process.

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